Speaker apparatus and a computer system incorporating same

ABSTRACT

An internal subwoofer apparatus is provided for mounting within a computer system. The computer system is a multi-media computer system that processes visual and audio recording and playback. The central processing unit box typically includes the motherboard on which is mounted the main central processing unit as well as any ancillary processing chips needed for the computer system. The computer system also includes memory modules such as short term memory, long term memory storage in the form of hard disk drives or removable floppy disk drive systems, as well as long term disk storage systems, such as CD-ROM systems. User input to the computer system is provided by either a keyboard and optionally a pointing device, such as a mouse or track ball. A monitor that displays video signals is provided and the audio system includes a pair of satellite speakers serving as a first channel and a second channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.09/098,779 filed Jun. 17, 1998, pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to speaker systems foruse with computer systems and, more particularly to a woofer/subwooferspeaker apparatus contained within a computer housing. More particularlystill, the present invention relates to a speaker assembly that, duringmanufacture, is quickly and easily placed within a computer housing,that occupies a limited volume and that is universally designed so as tobe adaptable in various orientations.

[0003] Audio speaker systems are well known in the art. Speaker systemshave evolved from a single monaural speaker to multiple speakers thatproduce stereo sound that is more realistic sounding to the typicallistener. Each speaker unit in a stereo speaker system typicallycomprises a plurality of speaker drivers within a single enclosure. Thespeaker unit typically uses two to three speakers, or more, with onespeaker reproducing upper frequencies and another speaker reproducinglower frequencies. A third speaker sometimes is added to reproduce thelowest frequencies desired.

[0004] Recently, however, the trend has been to utilize multiplechannels, which has led to using separate enclosures for each speaker.This allows the speaker system to have smaller components with theability to place the speakers in discrete locations otherwise notpossible with the larger enclosures typically used in previous speakerdesigns. Additionally, the woofer/subwoofer unit in the satellitespeaker systems typically only produces a monaural tone as well and thusa second, matching stereo speaker is not necessary. With this in mind,speaker designers have attempted to optimize the acoustics reproductionof small, enclosed subwoofer designs in order to save on space or tolocate this speaker unit in less conspicuous locations.

[0005] Another advance in subwoofer speaker design that has decreasedthe overall unit size is the utilization of ported chambers. The portedchambers also enhance the sound quality of the speaker system, as wellas increase the speaker's responsiveness without adding to, or in someinstances by even minimizing, the inherent distortion of the speaker.One design for a ported speaker system is shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,623,132 issued Apr. 22, 1997, entitled “Module Port Tuning Kit.” Thisreference discloses the concept of adding a modular port to a speakerenclosure to enhance the responsiveness and accuracy of the speakeritself. A more complicated enclosure system is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,147,986, issued Sep. 15, 1992, entitled “Subwoofer SpeakerSystem.” This patent discloses a subwoofer system that divides theenclosure into at least three chambers. Each chamber is tuned andacoustically coupled, one to another, so as to optimize speakerresponsiveness while minimizing the enclosure volume. Both of thesepatents disclose what would be excellent speaker designs for designingand implementing a subwoofer speaker assembly that stands alone.

[0006] The use of speaker systems has expanded from that of reproducingsound in a stereo system to reproducing a rich, sonorous environment ofsurround sound in multi-media systems that include video replay intelevision and personal computer systems. It is in the computermulti-media system that conventional speaker systems such as disclosedin the above-referenced patents, although useful, have severaldrawbacks. For one, both such speaker systems still require a separateenclosure that occupies a certain amount of space. In a multi-mediacomputer system, one must include not only the CPU box of the computersystem, but also the monitor, keyboard, pointing device, printer, andany auxiliary peripheral devices that take up valuable desk or floorreal estate either at home or in the office. Adding multi-mediacapabilities to the computer system requires sound to be reproduced and,to reproduce stereo sound, at least two speakers are required, for aright and left channel. Early personal computer systems included amonaural single speaker that was mounted within the computer system andonly provided amusing beeps and tones, but never could duplicate stereosound or full, rich audio sound currently desired by today's users.

[0007] Accordingly, the same type of satellite speaker systems that havebeen used in both audio hi-fidelity systems and video systems with audiohi-fidelity have made their way to the market of personal computers.These include a right channel speaker, left channel speaker, and amonaural subwoofer unit. This requires three new components to be placedon the already crowded desktop of the computer user. Some users havegone to free up desk space by placing the CPU box on the floor or inanother, out-of-the-way location. Such an approach is helpful in thatadditional desktop space is then available. Further, the user can placethe subwoofer anywhere close, without it having to be optimallypositioned as is required by the right or left speaker. This is becausethe subwoofer does not produce stereophonic sound, but merely enhancesthe audio experience by providing the lower frequencies. It is wellknown to speaker design engineers that a single subwoofer system is morethan adequate for reproducing the low frequency end of the audiospectrum needed for full audio reproduction.

[0008] Placing the CPU box under the desk or moving it away from thedesktop, as well as moving the subwoofer system off the desktop and inan inconspicuous place, are good approaches to provide additionaldesktop real estate. Unfortunately, they create additional cluttereither under the desk or in the separate storage area where the twounits must be provided. Additionally, in shipping systems with multiplespeaker sets, a larger shipping box is necessary to accommodate thetypically much-larger subwoofer assembly than the two satellitespeakers. This, in turn, incurs additional shipping costs as well aspacking costs in terms of material and labor and time delays experiencedin packing the unit.

[0009] Thus, what is needed is a satellite speaker system that overcomesthe storage problems of the prior art by placing a subwoofer somewhereuseful to the end user, and without taking up unnecessary spaceotherwise required by the user. This advantage would also overcome andreduce the costs of packing, shipping, and handling of an entiremulti-media computer system. Further, such a subwoofer configurationshould have the same acoustic benefits that ported subwoofer designsoffer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to the present invention, an internal subwooferapparatus is provided that is placed within the central processing unit(CPU) box of a computer system. The computer system may be a multi-mediapersonal computer system that is capable of providing visual and audiorecording and playback. The CPU box typically includes the motherboardthat houses the main central processing unit as well as any ancillaryprocessing chips needed for the computer system. The CPU box may alsoinclude memory modules such as short term random access memory, longterm disk storage memory in the form of hard disk drives or removablefloppy disk drive systems, as well as long term hard disk storage unitssuch as CD-ROM systems. User input to the computer system may beprovided by a keyboard and, optionally, a pointing device, such as amouse or track ball. A monitor that displays video signals viewable bythe user may be provided and be connected to the CPU and driven byeither the main central processing unit or by a separate videoprocessor, such as a video card. An audio system may be provided thatincludes a pair of satellite speakers serving as a first channel and asecond channel, typically known as the right and left channels, andfurther includes a subwoofer unit located in the CPU box. The CPU boxcan be oriented in a tower configuration or a desktop configuration.

[0011] The subwoofer unit is mounted in a lower front portion of thebox, if it is a tower box, or in a front side portion, if it is adesktop box. The subwoofer is ported to enhance audio reproduction andto conserve space. The speaker may be mounted in a down-fire position,meaning that the front of the speaker is mounted downwardly against avibration and sound absorbing mat, while the reflecting sound echoswithin the chamber and then is enhanced through the port that opens tothe front of the computer system. A separate volume control and on/offswitch can be provided on the exterior of the CPU so as to eitheractivate or deactivate the subwoofer within the CPU box. The switch andthe subwoofer are coupled to the motherboard or, alternatively, to anaudio sound card installed within a computer system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012]FIG. 1 is a diagram representing a computer system that hasmulti-media capabilities and incorporates a subwoofer apparatus withinthe central processing unit box;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a cut-away schematic side view of the CPU box of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cut-away side view schematic diagram of the subwooferapparatus of FIG. 2 shown in enlarged detail;

[0015]FIG. 4 depicts a side view schematic diagram of an alternativeported speaker system according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 depicts a connecting mechanism used to attach the subwooferspeakers enclosure shown in FIG. 3; and,

[0017]FIG. 6 depicts an alternative desktop CPU box incorporating thesubwoofer apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] As depicted in FIG. 1, a computer system 10 includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU) box 12, which is attached to a user input device,such as keyboard 14, and pointing device 16, an output device, such asmonitor 18, and a pair of speakers 20. Computer system 10 furtherincludes an integral woofer or subwoofer apparatus 22, found within box12 and including a port 36 (see FIG. 2). CPU box 12 is shown in furtherdetail in FIG. 2. CPU box 12 is configured in a tower configuration,which means it stands substantially in a vertically upright orientation,as opposed to a desktop configuration, which means to be in asubstantially horizontally prone orientation as shown in FIG. 6.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of CPU box 12 fromFIG. 1. Within CPU box 12 there is speaker apparatus (woofer orsubwoofer, hereinafter sometimes referenced for convenience merely as“subwoofer”) 22, which is held in place via fasteners 24. Fasteners 24can comprise any type of mechanical fastener or chemical fastener suchas screws, nylon clips, metal clips, adhesive, or friction fitting. CPUbox 12 further includes a drive bay 26 that holds additional peripheraldevices such as a floppy disk drive, one or more hard disk drives, aCD-ROM drive, and the like. Behind the drive bay 26 is a plurality ofcomputer cards 28. Each card can perform a different function such asserving as a modem or an audio sound card, or a video card. Also withinCPU box 12 is a motherboard that includes a central processing unit(CPU) 30 that performs the bulk of the processing within the overallcomputer system. CPU 30 may be any conventional, general purposesingle-or multi-chip microprocessor such as a Pentium® Processor or aPentium® Pro-processor, an 851 Processor, a MIPS® Processor, a Power PC®Processor, or an ALPHA® Processor. In addition, the CPU 30 may be anyconventional, special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signalprocessor, an audio signal processor, or a video graphics processor. Asshown in FIG. 2, CPU 30 is coupled to audio subwoofer 22 and is furthercoupled to the devices installed in drive bay 26 and to the add-oncomputer cards 28.

[0020] Further included in CPU box 12 is subwoofer controller 32.Controller 32 is coupled to both subwoofer 22 and to CPU 30. Controller32 may also be coupled to an audio sound card 28. Controller 32activates subwoofer 22 when the computer 10 is on, thus supplying powerto subwoofer 22. Additionally, controller 32 includes a volume controldevice that allows the user to adjust the volume to a desired level.Subwoofer apparatus 22 further includes a speaker 34. Speaker 34 ismounted against the bottom surface of the container used for subwoofer22. Speaker 34 may range in diameter from three inches to as large assix inches, or more, depending on the size of the CPU box 12. Thedimensions of subwoofer 22 are dictated by the size of CPU box 12. For alarge box, subwoofer 22 can occupy a relatively larger volume. For asmaller box, subwoofer 22 would be sized accordingly.

[0021] In one embodiment, the interior dimensions of subwoofer 22 arefive inches on all sides to form a five inch cube. The diameter ofspeaker 34 thus can be no greater than five inches. In this embodiment,it is desired that the speaker diameter be four inches.

[0022] To enhance the audio response of subwoofer apparatus 22 and keepits size compact, a port 36 is provided. Port 36 is adjusted so that ithas a length of substantially four-fifths the depth of the container forsubwoofer 22 and a diameter of substantially one-fifth of the height ofthe container. Further, the port is placed at substantially one-fifth ofthe height of the top container portion and is centered across the frontportion of the container. Thus, for a five inch cube containerstructure, port 36 will be four inches long with a diameter ofsubstantially one inch and off-set substantially one inch from the topof the container for subwoofer 22. Additionally, the front portion ofport 36 tapers outward to a diameter larger than the inner diameter ofport 36. The second diameter is at a ratio of substantially 1.5:1 to thefirst diameter. In alternative embodiments, the container for subwooferapparatus 22 may have a greater height, greater width, or greater depth.These dimensions are determined by the audio response desired by thespeaker designer, as well as the space limitations found within the CPUbox 12. For example, a container box that is seven inches high, sixinches deep, and six inches in width would allow for a larger speakerdriver to be placed therein and a sound port having a larger volumebecause of the larger box dimensions.

[0023]FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram ofsubwoofer 22 found in FIG. 2. Subwoofer 22 includes two container units42 and 44 that join together along the center line 48 (shown in ghostedform) to form a shell. The half shells formed by each of container units42 and 44 make for quick and easy assembly. At least one or more speakerretaining elements 46 is located in each container unit 42, 44. Theseretaining elements 46 are designed so that speaker 34 can be quicklyinserted into either container unit 42 or 44 and then assembly iscompleted upon the joining together of the two container units 42, 44 toform a shell. Retaining elements 46 can include any type of mechanicalretainer such as, for example, spring clips, of metal or plastic, moldedbridges or recesses that conform to the edge of speaker 34, or foamgaskets that wedge in place and provide additional sound dampening.

[0024] Once container units 42 and 44 are mated, a plurality of speakerfasteners 24 is inserted into subwoofer apparatus 22. A fastener 24 isinserted in each corner to secure speaker 34 in place as well as to holdunits 42 and 44 together. Speaker 34 is electrically connected toconnector 40 that provides connection to the CPU located in CPU box 12.Speaker 34 is placed on motion and sound dampener 38. Motion and sounddampener 38 is made of a desired dampening material suitable for use inan acoustical speaker assembly. This can include a flexible rubber mat,a neoprene mat, or a fiberglass liner. Motion and sound dampener 38serves to isolate speaker 34 from the vibrations encountered within CPUbox 12 as well as to dampen any acoustic vibration caused by the speakerwithin the box and lessen interference in the performance of subwoofer22. Additional acoustic dampening material may be lined within subwoofer22 as desired.

[0025]FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional schematic diagram of analternative embodiment of subwoofer 22. Subwoofer apparatus 22 aincludes a speaker 34 that is mounted in a direct facing positionaligned with port 36. Behind speaker 34 is placed a sound dampening oracoustic vibration dampening material 38. This direct fire embodiment ofFIG. 4 is designed such that port 36 is again sized to have a diameterone-fifth of that of overall container of subwoofer 22 a. The length ofport 36 is 40% of the width of the container used for subwoofer 22 a. Inone embodiment, port 36 is centered in the subwoofer 22 a, but can bemoved up or down, or left or right as desired for acoustic optimization.

[0026]FIG. 5 depicts a view of separated containers 42 and 44 previouslyshown in FIGS. 3 and 4. They are self-aligned together and held in placewith a friction alignment element 50. FIG. 6 depicts an alternativeembodiment of the CPU box. In FIG. 6, a desktop box 112 has a speakerport 36 mounted to one side with disk drives 126 mounted in anotherside. A speaker controller switch 132 is also provided on the front ofthe CPU box 112. Subwoofers 22 and 22 a have a universal design thatallows them to be placed in either an upright or tower CPU box 12 ofFIG. 1, or in a prone or desktop CPU box 112 as shown in FIG. 6. Theonly difference is that fasteners 24 would secure the bottom of CPU box112 from underneath in the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0027] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a number ofvariations and modifications of the described invention can also beused. Port shapes other than the round port thus depicted can be used,such as oval, elliptical, parabolic, square, rectangular, and otherpolygonal shapes. A single port can be replaced by two or more smallerports. The subwoofer assembly can employ more than one speaker as wellas more than one chamber. The absolute and relative sizes of thechambers, or enclosures, can be adjusted, particularly as needed toadjust the frequency response in coordination with the characteristicsof other speakers, such as the midrange or tweeter speakers that arefound in the satellite pair of speakers 20. Although standard conicalspeakers are depicted, other shapes of speakers can be used, such asparabolic, oval, elliptical, planar, and the like.

[0028] When speaker apparatus 22 is used as a subwoofer speaker, a lowfrequency bi-pass circuit is provided that cuts off signals having afrequency greater than about 100-120 hertz. A typical bypass filter is aresister-capacitor circuit that is tuned to allow signal frequencies of100-120 hertz or lower to pass to speaker 34. If speaker 34 is to alsoreproduce higher frequencies, then a higher bypass filter would berequired. Typically, in such an instance, the cut-off level would be at200 Hertz and above. Thus, the RC circuit would be tuned to passfrequencies at 200 Hertz or below for output on speaker 34. It is, ofcourse, understood that the cut off should not be taken as limited to100 or 200 Hz, but may extend to a higher frequency as desired.

[0029] Although the invention has been described by way of a preferredembodiment and various modifications and variations, other modificationsand variations can also be used within the scope of the invention, theinvention being defined by the appended claims and equivalence thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A speaker apparatus installable within a computerhousing for generating low frequency sounds, comprising: a speakercontainer; a speaker removably retained within said container; a speakerport coupled to said container to provide acoustic coupling between saidspeaker and a region outside said container and said computer housing.2. The speaker apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising atleast one fastener to couple said speaker to said container.
 3. Thespeaker apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said container furthercomprises: a first unit having a speaker retainer; and a second unit,substantially similar to said first unit, further having a speakerretainer, said first container unit and said second container unit beingconfigured to mate in such a fashion as to securely retain said speakerwithin said container.
 4. The speaker apparatus according to claim 1further comprising an acoustic dampening element mounted to an interiorsurface of said speaker container.
 5. The speaker apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said speaker is mounted to an interior surface of saidspeaker container.
 6. The speaker apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid container comprises a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottomwall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, each wall having thesame area.
 7. The speaker apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidport has a length that is ⅘ a depth of said container and a diameterthat is ⅕ a height of said container.
 8. The speaker apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said speaker is mounted behind said port coupled tosaid container.
 9. A speaker apparatus installable within a computerhousing for generating low frequency sounds, comprising: a speakercontainer having a top, back, front, bottom, and two side interiorportions; a speaker removably retained within said container, saidspeaker facing said bottom interior portion; a speaker port formed insaid front interior portion of said container to provide acousticcoupling between said speaker and a region outside said speakercontainer and said computer housing.
 10. The speaker apparatus accordingto claim 9 further comprising at least one fastener to couple saidspeaker to said container.
 11. The speaker apparatus according to claim9 wherein said container further comprises: a first unit having aspeaker retainer; and a second unit, substantially similar to said firstunit, further having a speaker retainer, said first container unit andsaid second container unit being configured to mate in such a fashion asto securely retain said speaker within said container.
 12. The speakerapparatus according to claim 9 further comprising an acoustic dampeningelement mounted to an interior surface of said speaker container. 13.The speaker apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said speaker ismounted to an interior surface of said speaker container.
 14. Thespeaker apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said container comprisesa front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall,and a second side wall, each wall having the same area.
 15. The speakerapparatus according to claim 9 wherein said port has a length that is ⅘a depth of said container and a diameter that is ⅕ a height of saidcontainer.
 16. A speaker apparatus installable within a computer housingfor generating low frequency sounds, comprising: a speaker containerhaving back and front interior portions; a speaker removably retainedwithin said container, said speaker facing said front portion of saidspeaker container; a speaker port coupled to said front interior portionof said speaker container to provide acoustic coupling between saidspeaker and a region outside said container and said computer housing.17. The speaker apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising atleast one fastener to couple said speaker to said container.
 18. Thespeaker apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said container furthercomprises: a first unit having a speaker retainer; and a second unit,substantially similar to said first unit, further having a speakerretainer, said first container unit and said second container unit beingconfigured to mate in such a fashion as to securely retain said speakerwithin said container.
 19. The speaker apparatus according to claim 16further comprising an acoustic dampening element mounted to said backinterior portion of said speaker container.
 20. The speaker apparatusaccording to claim 16 wherein said speaker is mounted to an interiorsurface of said speaker container.
 21. The speaker apparatus accordingto claim 16 wherein said container comprises a front wall, a back wall,a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall,each wall having the same area.
 22. The speaker apparatus according toclaim 16 wherein said port has a length that is ⅘ a depth of saidcontainer and a diameter that is ⅕ a height of said container.